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REPORT 



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MRS. HARRISOA^ GRAY OTIS 



ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF 



DONATIONS TO SOLDIERS. 




BOSTON: 

J. E. FARWELL & COMPANY, PRINTEKS TO THE CITY, 

37 Congress Strkkt. 

1864. 



/ 



City Document. — No. 51. 



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K E P O R T 



MRS. HARRISON GRAY OTIS 



DONATIONS FOR SOLDIEES. 



1864. 



In Board of Aldermen, May 16, 1864. 
Laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. 

Attest : S. F. McCLEARY, City Clerk. 



flEPORT 



Boston, 2mh April, 1864. 

Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis presents her compliments to 
His Honor the Mayor and the gentlemen of the Donation Com- 
mittee of the City Government of Boston, and informs them 
that on the 29th of April, 18 G4, she completed the third year 
of her most interesting work in Boston for the Soldiery, having 
commenced it in the Evans House in 1861, and therein re- 
mained two years ; and one year at 126 Tremont Street, op- 
posite Park Street Church. Dui'ing this period she has not left 
her post for one day, excepting on Sundays and religious festi- 
vals, and has found abundant occupation in the distribution of 
all manner of useful articles conducing to the comfort and 
welfare of the troops, as well as sick, suffering, and dying sol- 
diers, in their tents, hospitals, and others in their own homes. 
These invaluable articles, from the opening of her house have 
been, until now, profusely given in an unfailing manner by the 
patrons of the establishment, to whom her profound thanks are, 
with the most heartfelt gratitude, tendered for their unbounded 
confidence in her efforts and their generosity and thoughtfulness. 
It is indeed a remarkable case of hands never havino- been 
stayed, or diverted from a point of interest ; and the incalculable 
advantages derived from such a condition of things, so satisfac- 
tory, can hardly be exaggerated in any shape or form. Thou- 
sands of soldiers and their families have blessed these willing 
givers, for not one cent has been begged, Mrs. Otis's whole 



4 CITY DOCUMENT. — No. 51. 

system hiiving been based on voluntaiy donations ; and you 
Avell know, gentlemen, t^lic lias not received any pecuniary as- 
sistance from yourselves -whatever. The original plan, a sort 
of bank of ftiith, has been thoroughly tested with perfect suc- 
cess, and no deviation, however slight, has been made from the 
opening of the house. 

Many foreign oflicers have visited tlie establishment and pub- 
lished pleasant descriptit)ns of its management, and expressed a 
desire to get up something of the sort in their own cities ; the 
last received, l)eing in the Swedish language, is the least in- 
telligible. 

The work being transferred to Tremont Street, it has pros- 
pered exceedingly, and necessarily • increased from the large 
number of troops quartered at Eeadviile, the furloughs of Regi-. 
ments and returns of sick, v^-ounded, and disabled soldiers, and 
the last six months have been more onerous than ever ; but as 
the means, in money and effects, to supply the wants of tlic 
soldiers and solace the sufferers have been freely given, the 
labor has been most cheerfully performed and sanctified by the 
blessings bestowed by ever grateful reci})ients on unwearied 
benevolence, as exemplified in the variety and excellence of 
well-considered donations, of which Mrs. Otis has been the 
liappy almoner. 

As is natiu'ally the case the soldier having, in countless in- 
stances, personally received comforts from xilrs. Otis, lie, on 
his return home, reports himself to her, sick or well, and all 
that can possibly be effected is done, and kindly advice given 
for future conduct and relief. Tliis has consequently placed her 
in relation with excellent charities. There seemed to exist an 
impression that no admission was given to the Massachusetts 
General Hospital, Boston, to those wlio could not pay; this 
was in all cases removed on application to Dr. Shaw, and much 
2;ratltudc expressed at the treatment. At the Pemberton 
Square IIos[)Ital, under Dr. AVIliiam E. Townsend, the same 
satisfaction was evinced for kindne-s received. 



DONATIONS FOR SOLDIERS. 5 

The Soldiers' Belief Fund, 56 State Street, has been a great 
comfort to the soldier under the kindly, sympathizing, and ju- 
dicious treatment of ]\Iessrs. Sabine and Green, and The Flomc 
for Discharged Soldiers deserves the commendation and all the 
support that can possibly be bestowed upon it, completely ex- 
empHfylng, as it does, its name, a home in truth and verity, as 
she Avell knows, having sent to its solacing and hospital:)le shel- 
ter hundreds of soldiers. May it long prosper and flourish, 
and, in good time, occupy tenfold the space it now does in 
public opinion. To the Massachusetts IBible Society, Mrs. Otis 
is greatly indebted for constant supplies, and believes she can 
state that no soldier has been neglected. 

The ladies at The INIcLean Asylum, Somerville, under the 
care of Dr. Tyler, have made a large number of garments for 
the soldiers, and many thanks are due them for the admirable 
manner in which tliey have been finished. 

The house has continued to be, in some degree, a place of 
refuge for friendless soldiers, nor has its ministrations been con- 
fined to our own State, no man having left it empty handed. 
The same numberless letters have been received from camp and 
hospital, imparting the encouraging assurance that nothing has 
been lost ; indeed, the perpetual incoming- of soldiers from the 
army renders the sending of parcels very facile and pleasant, 
the soldier much preferring to lose liis own outfit than his 
conu'adc's. 

During the seventeen months this Keport covers there have 
been distributed four thousand dollars in money, and two liun- 
drcd thousand substantial articles, comprising shirts, drawers, 
socks, mittens, soldiers' bags, pocket handkerchiefs, towels, 
comforters, blankets, pillows, night gowns, dressing gowns, and 
all kinds of hospital garments and stores, of wines, liquors, 
spices, tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar, &c. 

Testaments, prayer books, tracts, and reading matter, have 
been abundantly supplied. Many donors presenting well-filled 
boxes and barrels, ready for liospltal use, with the assurance 



6 CITY DOCUMENT.— No. 51. 

that they were properly packed ; these gifts, with their contents, 
have been considered but a single article in the enumeration. 

That these noble benefactors of the soldier, so unwearied in 
well doing, who seem to have been born to do benefits, may 
receive here and hereafter the reward of their good works, is the 
constant prayer of a woman whom they have honored by their 
approval and confidence. 

Gentlemen : Mrs. Otis submits to your inspection the books 
which verify the statements made in this Report, and returns 
her thanks to you for tne privilege of serving the city of her 
birth and predilection, and for the kindness received during her 
stay in the establishment where she hopes to remain. 

To Ills Honor Mayor Lincoln, and the City Council of Boston. 



